Q I am hoping to hear something about a desk I have inherited. I don't know much about it except that the family story is that it came from Scotland with my grandmother. I do know it has been in my family for at least 65 years. It has seen much use, so there are scratches and stains, but the front face part seems to be unique and I'd like to know more about it. It stands 38 inches high and is 28 inches wide. M. M., Beaverton

A This is a quarter-sawn oak, slant-front lady's writing desk from around 1885. Lion heads like the one in the center were especially popular at this time in Germany, England, Italy and the surrounding Continental area. Further research would be needed to substantiate whether it was made in Scotland, and most appraisers would say it is just too new to warrant that additional time. It's a charming piece, but most people would buy it as an accent, rather than a practical desk, as there is no room for a hard drive or laptop. At retail, it would probably be priced from $600 to $700, and might sell at auction for $200 to $300.

QI am sending photos of a shelf that has been in my family since at least the 1870-80s. I think it is made out of black walnut. It was a shelf that supported an 1830s Empire era clock in the family farmhouse in Indiana. The top shelf is 17 inches wide by 7 1/4 inches deep, the bottom section is 14 inches by 8 inches wide, and it is 15 1/2 inches top to bottom. I am curious to know what time period it may be from, if it was homemade or a purchased shelf, and if it has any worth. It has never been refinished. M.M., Vancouver

A Your hanging wall shelf dates from the late 19th century. It has the typical, heavy turned baluster supports, split spindles and panel construction of the Victorian 17th Century Revival style, with Gothic and Eastlake design influences. In a nice antique store, this would be priced at $800 to $1,200. A good auction price would be $400 to $600.

QThis bowl is something my husband inherited from his great-grandmother. It is 24 inches around and 8 inches high. The bottom says J.F. Wileman, Foley Potteries, Staffordshire. In the middle it says Oulton. Then there is a No. 131562. It is in excellent condition. I wonder what this is and what it is worth. A.S., Clackamas

A Your bowl is actually a chamber pot made by J.F. Wileman Foley Potteries in Staffordshire, England, around 1866 to 1892. It would have been used in the bedroom before the advent of indoor plumbing, to save the bother of going all the way to the outhouse. You would see this priced at retail for $40 to $50. At auction it would likely sell for $15 to $30.

QMy father found this 13-inch by 17-inch oil painting on wood in a New Hampshire dump in the 1950s. Several years ago we took it to the Vancouver fairground where they had an area for appraisals. A vendor who was selling Russian art there told us he was sure it was Russian, dating from the mid- to late 1800s, and very high quality. He also said that few old Russian paintings were signed. L.U., King City

A Your portrait may have been signed at one time, as it looks as though it has been cut down. Value is dependent on the artist, and learning this is not always possible, even after long research and investigation. Without this, we can still evaluate the decorative merit of the work based on the appeal of the subject and the skill of execution. Not everyone wants a portrait of someone else's grandmother in their home, so the market for portraits of elderly women is limited. Even so, the painting is well done in a European Impressionistic style and will appeal to those who appreciate the aesthetics of the work. You would see this with a retail price of $1,500 to $3,000. It might sell at auction for $500 to $1,000. Not bad for a dump find!

QI was wondering if you could give me any information about this chair. I believe this belonged to a family member from many years ago. There are no markings. It is 41 1/2 inches tall and the seat is 20 inches across. N.B., Westmoreland

A This is a late 19th century "Victorian comb-back Windsor style revival" piece and is a reproduction of an earlier 18th century American form. As was typical with Victorian craftsmen, the makers took what was once a simple, clean style and added embellishment in the form of mythical beasts and banded acanthus leaves on the crest. It should sell at retail for $600 to $1,200 and at auction for $300 to $500.

ABOUT COLLECTIBLES

The values of items featured in the collectibles column are estimated by Portland appraiser Terra Goodman, who is accredited in appraisal practice, theory and law as well as product knowledge, ethics and proper appraisal procedures. She is certified in fine and decorative arts through Sotheby's Auction House, where she studied American and European furniture and decorative arts. Goodman is the only Sotheby's, New York-trained appraiser in the Portland area.

To find a professional appraiser, contact the Certified Appraisers Guild of America, the International Society of Appraisers, the American Society of Appraisers or the American Association of Appraisers. Estimates provided for items reviewed in the collectibles column are for "fair market value" only and should not be used for appraisals for insurance or IRS purposes.

If you have a rare, very old and/or unusual item of furniture or home decor you would like considered for inclusion in the column, send a high-quality photo along with measurements and information about the age and condition to: carolynpatten@gmail.comor to: